A third force intervenes in the war between elves and wizards: the nomads calling themselves the Iron People. Their secret weapon is capable of countering both human and elven magic. Shane, the leader of half-blood wizards, has to learn this for herself—she ends up captured by the nomads. The secret struggle between the war leader and the high priest of the Iron People turns out to be a surprising stroke of luck for Shane. The wizards get a chance to remain alive and win the last battle against the elven lords.